A violent altercation between secondary school students and a rival youth group over a girlfriend quarrel sent Suleja town in Niger State into a state of turmoil.
According to reports, the battle started when Umar Idris, an SS3 student from a prestigious secondary school in Chaichainiya, led his gang in attacking competitors in the same neighbourhood with hazardous weapons. Security forces intervened after both parties used weapons freely throughout the weekend-long altercation.
Police and neighbourhood vigilantes were called in to restore order, dispersing the conflicting groups with tear gas and bullets. Shops were swiftly closed as fear grew, and locals fled inside for safety. Unfortunately, two children, ages 10 and 11, were wounded by gunshots after becoming entangled in the crossfire. For treatment, they were taken immediately to Suleja General Hospital.
The situation was brought under control by security personnel, and as investigations proceeded, the initial six suspects were quickly expanded to eleven.
Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun, a spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the incident, saying that students and local youths got into a brawl over relationship problems on March 6, 2025, at approximately 11 p.m.
He further disclosed that 11 individuals, including gang boss Umar Idris, were taken into custody and are presently being investigated as part of a clandestine police operation. Initial investigations revealed that the rounds that wounded the two children were fired by a member of a sibling security service.
The police promised that more enquiries are being conducted in order to hold everyone accountable.
CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Allschoolabs
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